Index tabs



@v 24, 393? W. F. CUNmwmM-mw INDEX TABS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Feb. 5, 1959 0&24, w67 W. F.' CUNNINGHAM 3,348,32

INDEX TABS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 -OV IO I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I s I I I IP I Original Filed Feb, 5, 1959 249 N57 W. F. CUNMNQSHAM INDEX TABS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Feb. 5, 1959 United States VPatent O 3,348,324 INDEX TABS Walter F. Cunningham, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Superior- Tabbies, Inc., Chicago, Illz, a corporation of Illinois Original application Feb. 5, 1959, Ser. No. 791,462, nou7 Patent No. 3,070,482dated Dec. 25, 1962. Divided and this application May 3, 1962, Ser. No. 192,126

8 Claims. (Cl. 40-23) This invention relates in general to index tabs, and more specifically to novel composite flexible strips providing improved separable tabs, the present application being a division of my co-pending application Ser. No. 791,462, filed Feb. 5, 1959, issued Dec. 25, 1962, as No. 3,070,482.

A principal object of the invention is the provision of a composite flexible strip comprising separable index tabs Yhaving transparent skirt or wing portions detachably secured by pressure-sensitive adhesive to a mounting strip, with the tabs including parallel ller strips spaced from each other to dene a hinge portion, whereby folding of a tab along such hinge portion, after removal from the mounting strip, will bring the filler strips into face-toface relationship and enable attachment of the skirt portions to an edge portion of a sheet of paper, or the like, to present an accurately positionable, strong, smooth and ilexible tab which does not require moistening for its attachment.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a composite strip in which the mounting stripreadily may be employed as an insert for the tab.

A further object is the provision of such a composite strip from which tabs of desired length readily may be severed.

Another object is to facilitate selectively variable positioningof the tab to cause the ller strips to deline an insert-receiving pocket of desired height above the edge of the sheet to which the tab is attached.

A further object isthe provision of such a tab construction which may be employed as a file folder tab protector.

Another object is to provide a new and simplied method for accurately mounting an index tab and an insert therefor at a selected position on the edge portion of a sheet of paper, or the like.

Other objects and advantages of the present improvements will be apparentY from a consideration of the following speciiication wherein:

FIGURE l is a bottom plan view of a composite strip embodying the features of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an end composite strip of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse vertical section taken through the strip substantially on the line 3 3 of FIG; 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an indexing tab Vthat hasbeen severed from the strip of FIGS. 1-3'illustrating an intermediate step in the preferred method of atportion of the taching the same,`with an insert, to the edge portion of a sheet of paper;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating the index tab in its mounted position of use, with an insert partially removed therefrom;

FIG. 6 is 'a'top plan view (similar to FIG. 2) of a portion of a modified composite strip, with various component strips thereof broken away at different points;

FIG. 7v is a perspective view showing a tab cut from the composite strip of FIG. 6y as applied as a iile folder tab protector, with an insert shown in a position partially removed therefrom;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view similar to FIGS'. 2 and 6 of a further modified form of composite strip;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing one ofthe color ice indicating tabs removed from the strip of FIG. 8 and mounted for use on the edge portion of a sheet of paper; FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of another modified form of compositek strip which provides a plurality of pre-printed index tabs;

FIG. 1l is a side elevation of a preferred form of apparatus for continuously making the composite strips of this invention;

FIG. l2 is a perspective view of a'novel transverse.

cutter employed in the machine of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a detail horizontal section taken vsubstantially on the line 13.-13 of FIG. l1;

FIG. 14 is a side elevation of a portion of a modified form of transverse cutting and punching mechanism thatv Referring more particularly to FIGURES 1 throughv 5, one form of index is therein disclosed which embodies the features of this invention. FIGURES l, 2 and 3 illustrate that such index or a plurality thereof may be formed either as a single blank or :a blank strip intended for sale in folded or rolled form and adapted to be cut transversely to provide index tabs of any selected length. FIGURE 1 illustrates the bottom' or reverse side of this blank strip 21, while the obverse side thereof is shown in FIGURE 2, which is that sidethat is exposed as the outer portion of the index tab in its nal position of use, as in FIGURE 5.

The blank 21 is made up of four different plies. The rst of these comprises a base member or backing strip 22 of a transparent polyester lm, such as the Du Pont film marketed under the trademark Mylar, which is provided with a suitable coating of clear, pressure-sensitive adhesive over its entire inner surface. This inner surface. of the backing strip 22 is the lower surface thereof as seen in FIGURE 3. The second or next ply of the blank strip 21 comprises a transparent cellulose strip 23 (FIGURE 1l), which is split longitudinally and separated (in a manner later to be described) to form two parallel iller members or strip portions 24 and 25 that are adhered to the inner or lower adhesive surface of the backing strip 22 extend laterally therebeyond, and are spaced from'each other to expose a narrow longitudinally extending portion 26 of the adhesive covered surface of the backing strip 22. This portion 26 of the backing strip may be used for, tab-retaining purposes, in a manner later to be described, and also comprises the hinge portion of the instant foldable index tab.

The third or next lower ply of the blank strip 21 comprises two marginal strips 27 having a suitable transparent and pressure-sensitive adhesive coating on both sides and adhered to` the outer marginal portions of the cellulose strips 24 and 25 on their lower or inner surfaces. The

fourth or lower vply of the blank strip 21 comprises a mounting strip 28 of a suitable polyethelene-impregnated release paper to which the lower or exposed surface of the marginal strips 27 are temporarily adhered and from which the same may readily` be separated when a portion of the blank strip 21 is to be employed for index tabbing purposes. l

As best seen in FIGURE 1, the lower or exposed surface of the mounting strip 28 preferably isV provided along one marginal edge with a suitable scale 29 in inches and fractions thereof inscribed thereon in any desired manner. The blank strip 21 shown in FIGURE l is divided longitudinally into portions six inches in length by transverse Patented Oct. 24, 'i967v lines of severance 31 preferably cut entirely through the members 22-27 and through all but the exposed marginal portions of the mounting strip 2S, so as to render the blank 21 readily separable into portions six inches long. The scale 29 facilitates cutting these portions into separate tabs of selected length. As also best seen in FIGURE l, the mounting strip 28 is perforated along parallel longitudinaly lines 32, 33, 34, and 35'. Intermediate adjacent ones of said lines of perforation, the mounting strip 28 is perforated in longer increments on longitudinallines 35, 37 and 38. In the modification herein illustrated in FIG- URES 1-5, lines 32` and 33 are each spaced 1A of an inch from the line 36, the lines 33 and 34 are each spaced 1/2 of an inch from the line 37, and the lines 34and 35 are spaced, respectively, 1/s of an Vinch from thel line 38. With such an arrangement, the mounting strip 28 may readily be severed along the lines 32, 33 to providev an index tab insert foldable on the line 36 to comprise a double walled insert 1A of an'inch in'vertical'heght, as seen in FIGURE Likewise, severing of the mounting strip along theV lines 33`and 344 and folding such severed portion along the line 37 will provide a two walled tab insert 1/2 inch in height. An insert 1A; inch in height similarly may be provided by severing the mounting strip 28 along the lines 34 and 35 andfolding suchy severed portion along the line 38.

It will be appreciated that the rear surface (upper surface in FIGURE l) of the mounting strip 28 preferably will have typed or otherwise suitably inscribed thereon in the proper portion thereof such indicia as it is desired to expose in the'nal position of use. Such markings or inscriptions may easily be made on the mounting strip 28 before separation thereof froml the marginal strips 27 or transverse severance of the blank Strip 21. It also will be understood that if the portionY of the mounting strip 28 selected foruse as the tab insert is folded along the associated line 36, 37 or 38, indicia applied to the two portions thereof divided from each other by said lines must be iu,- verted with respect to each other, in order for the same to be read properly from opposite sides of the index tab when in use. This will best be understood with reference to FIGURE 5 wherein' reference numeral 39 designates such indicia inscribed on one exposed face of the tab insert, and it will be appreciated that the same indicia should be so inscribed on the reverse or other exposed surface of the insert asl to be readable from the other side of the tab. Of course, when desired, indicia may be printed on the rear or lower surface of the mounting strip 28. The construction illustrated in FIGURES 1 -5, however, is that provided for custom indexing, including the application of desired indicia and forming of index tabs of any selected len th.

Ii `connection with the above-described' arrangement enabling usel of the mounting strip 28 for the index tab insert, the upper surface (as seen in FIGURES 2 and 3) of,

the cellnlose strip portion 24 preferably has three colored lines 41, 42 and 43 inscribed thereon in longitudinally extending parallel relationship, with the outermost line 41 adjacent Vthe inner 27 and the spacing of the lines 42 and 43 therefrom being 1A; of an inch and 1A: of an inch, respectively. Since the cellulose strip 24 is transparent, these guide lines 41-43 may be inscribed on either side thereof. Also, if desired, those lines may be inscribed on the under or inner side 0f the backing strip 22, this arrangement being` illustrated in its accomplishment in FIGURE 11. Y

In using the blank strip 2,1, the user may sever the end portion thereof by tearing the perforated end extensions of the first line of severance 31, and that end portion then may have the desired indicia inscribed on a selected part of thev mounting strip 28," either in script or by use of a typewriter. If it is desired to have the index tab insert 1/2 inch wide, the central portionsl between the lin'es of perforation 33 and 34 will be used. The thus inscribed portion of the Ablank strip 21 then is cut off to' the proper length, and that partof the mounting strip' 28 on which the indicia edge of the associated marginal strip 4 are inscribed is separated along its marginal lines of perforation 33, 34 and folded along its central line 37 t0 form an indicia bearing member or insert which is designated in FIGURES 4 and 5 by reference numeral 44.

At the same time or after such removal of the insert 44, the remainder of the mounting strip 28 on the severed portion isV removed and the resulting index tab, indicated generally in FIGURES 4 and 5 by reference numeral 45, is placed on :a supporting surface with the adhesive marginal strips 27 facing upwardly. The sheet 46 to which the index tab is to be attached then is pressed onto the adhesive strip 27 on the cellulose'strip 24, with the upper edge of the sheet extending along the outerguide line 41. The insert 44 then may be positioned by pressing its central fold into contact with the central exposed portion 26 of the adhesive inner surface of the backing strip 22, in the manner illustrated in `FIGURE 4. The tab 4S then is folded over to present the filler strips 24, 25 in face-toface relationship andthe other adhesive strip 27 pressed against the upper surface of the sheet 46y to complete the mounting ofthe tab thereon. As shown in FIGURE 5, the insert' 44, although thus retained by the adhesive on the central hinge portion 26, may readily be removed from the tab 45 and another insert substituted therefor. FIG- URE 5 also illustrates the fact that the tab 45 maybe mounted in the manner above described on the sheet 46 and the insert 44 thereafter slid into position between the two opposed cellulose strips 24, 25. It will be appreciated that the spacing of the strips 24, 25 from each other to provide the exposed portion 26 is such as to be substantially equal to the double thickness of the insert 44 plus the thicknesses of the two adhesive strips 27. As a result, that hinge portion 26 eliminates any bulkiness and permits the tab 45 to be attached smoothly to the sheet 46 as illustrated in FIGURE 5. Also, it will be appreciated that the insert 44 may be torn apart along its center line of perforations, which means that the desired indicia 39 may be typed on the mounting strip 28 without requiring reversal of theblank strip 21 in the typewriter. The optional use of the guide lines 42 or 43, instead of line 41 as illustrated in FIGURE 4, will result in an insertreceiving space within the tab 45 or Mi of an inch, respectively, in height. When either of those heights are selected, it will be understood that the desired indicia 39 should be inscribed on the mounting strip 28`between the lines of perforation 32 and 33 or 34 and 35, respectively` Regardless `of the active height of the tab above the adjacent edge of the sheet 46 to which it is attached',v the skirt portions thereof, which are those lower parts that are attached to the sheet 46, will never interfere with any printed material, or the like, that may appear on the sheet 46 because of their being transparent.

This modification of FIGURES l-S thus comprises a blank strip from which index tabs of desired lengthvv may be cut as needed, and which includes a mounting strip, foi maintaining the tab in usable condition until" it is to be applied to a selected sheet, which also may be used as an indicia-receiving insert. Since no moistening is required to mountl the tab because of its pressurelsensitive adhesive' coated andI transparent skirt or wing portions, it thus will be seen that a pen, pencil or typewriter is the only equipment needed, other than a pair of scissors if the selected lengthis less than the distance between the transverse lires 31, in order to prepare and mount this novel' index ta The modification of FIGURES 6 and 7 is intended for specific use as a tile folder tab protector which also may be employed to mount an indicia-bearing insert. Like the modification of FIGURES l-5, the blank strip designated in FIGURE 6? generally by reference numeral 47 comprises a four-'ply structure. The first or uppermost ply in this figure is a base member or strip 4S of polyester film, such as Mylar, which is substantially identical to the previously described strip 2 and, similarly, has its' entire lower surface covered with a suitable transparent and pressure-sensitive adhesive. The second ply comprises a1 narrow colored strip 49, and the third ply comprises parallel filler members or strip portions 51 and 52, spaced from each other at 53, which are similar to the'previously described strips 24 and 25 except that they are narrower than the backing strip 48, so that marginal portions of the latter are exposed to provide adhesive covered skirt or wing sections which function in the same manner as the adhesive strips 27 previously described. The fourth ply of this blank strip 47 is a mounting strip 54 similar to the mounting strip 28, being made of a suitable polyethyleneimpregnated paper, except that it is perforated longitudinally on three parallel lines 55. The middle one of these lines of perforation 5'5 extends along the center of this mounting strip 54 and the other two such lines are spaced therefrom slightly less than the width of the wider cellulose strip 52. Thus, indicia 39 may be inscribed on the rear surface of the mounting strip 54 between these lines of perforation 5S and, after the strip 47 has been severed transversely, tearing of the mounting strip along the lines of perforation 55 will provide an indicia bearing member or insert 56, as illustrated in FIGURE 7. The severed portion of the blank strip 47 when removed from the mounting strip 5'4 comprises a file folder tab protectorV 57. This should be applied to a file folder 58 (FIGURE 7) by placing the tab on a supporting surface with its adhesive coated skirt or Wing portions uppermost and placing the le folder on the skirt portion adjacent the narrowest strip 51, using the colored strip 49 as a guide extending along the upper edge of the tab 59 of the file folder. The insert 56 then may be placed over the tab 59 and the protector 57 folded along the spacing or hinge portion 53 into its position of FIGURE 7. Or, if desired, the protector 57 may first be so folded and attached and the insert 56 subsequently slid into the pocket defined by the cellulose strip 52 and the le tab 59.

As will be appreciated from the illustration in FIGURE 7, when the tab 57 is so mounted on the sheet or file folder 58, the strip 49 provides a color indication visible from both sides of the tab. The Width of the filler strip 52 is approximately equal to the height of the file folder tab 59. Since this filler strip 52 is transparent, it will be understood that the tab 5'7 may be employed solely as a file folder tab protector without using the insert 56. It also will be understood that this modification of FIG- URES 6 and 7 may be made with the filler strips 52 of the same width and the spacing 53 slightly increased, so that an insert 56 may be mounted on each side of the tab S9 between it and the strips 51` and 52, respectively. And it also will be appreciated that the modification of FIGURES 1 5 likewise may be employed as a file folder tab protector.

The modification illustrated in FIGURE 8 also cornprises a four-ply blank strip, which is designated generally by reference numeral- 61, but is so formed as to constitute a plurality of identical colored placement tabs, indicated generally by reference numeral 62, that are readily separable therefrom and adapted to be mounted on a sheet 63 in the manner shown in FIGURE 9. As in the preceding modifications, the uppermost ply of the strip 61 comprises a base member or backing strip V64 of a suitable polyester film, such as Mylan the under surface of which is coated throughout with a transparent and pressure-sensitive adhesive. Secured thereto is the' second ply which comprises a colored strip of any suitable material that has its lower surface coated with an adhesive. The third ply comprises a pair of filler members or strips 66 of any suitable material that are parallel to each other and spaced from each other at 65 to provide the same hinge construction previously described with respect to the other modifications. The fourth ply of the strip 61 comprises a mounting strip of the same material as the strips 28 and 54 but which is severed longitudinally along a line 69, preferably somewhat off center. It is also perforated along longitudinal lines 71 that are spacedtransversely a short distance outwardlyy of perforation 71 and dene the separate placement tabs 6,2. With this construction, it will be appreciated that one or more of the tabs 62 readily may be removed, either with or-without the associated portion of the mounting str-ip 68, and after the latter has been peeled therefrom, the tab may be folded along its hinged portion 67 and secured to a sheet 63 in the manner illustrated in FIG- URE 9.

The modification shown in FIGURE 10 also comprises a four-ply blank strip which is designated generally by the reference numeral 73. As in the other modiiications, the uppermost ply in the strip 73 comprises a base member or backing strip 74 substantially identical to .the previously described strips 22, 48 and 64 which= likewise, has its lower surface covered with a suitable pressure-sensitive'and transparent adhesive. As in the modification of FIGURES 6 and 7, this blank strip 73 employs a narrow colored strip 75 as its second ply,v but the latter is secured to the backing strip 74 along its longitudinal center line. The third ply of the strip 73 comprises a pair of ller members of cellulose strips 76 parallel to and spaced from each other to provide a hinge spacing 77 under the colored strip 75. Either on the upper surfaces of these strips 76 or on the backing strip 74 are printed or otherwise inscribed a series of indicia, shown in FIGURE l0 as comprising the letters of the -alphabet 78. These are disposed in regularly spaced relationship longitudinally of the strip and in tumbled relationship relative to the center line thereof so that, when subsequently mountedfor use, the indicia may be read properly from opposite sides of the resulting tab.A Consequently, it will be appreciated thatr the ller strips 76 should be opaque so that the opposed indices 78 will not visually interfere with each other. As in the modifications of FIGURES 6-9, the backing strip 74 extends laterally of the strip 73 well beyond the outer margins of the parallel strips 76 to provide adhesive-coated skirt portions. It isV 76 are provided which are parallel to each other and de-V line the longitudinal edges of a series of pre-printed standard index tabs. Both to facilitate removal of these tabs from the mounting strip 79 for desiredL placement in similar fashion to the tab 62 shown in FIGURE 9 and to provide an index tab-having its outer corners chamferred, the members 74, 75 and 76- have diamond-shaped portions removed therefrom to provide apertures 82 disposed centrally of each transverse line of severance 81. When mounted on the edge portion of a sheet of paper, or the like, each tab not only provides an index indication readily readable from yeach side of the sheet, but the strip 75 provides a color indication also visible from each side of the sheet.

The novel method of this invention for making the composite strips hereinbefore described `comprises the steps of presenting a pair of parallel filler strips, which are in laterally spaced relationship relative to each other, to -an intermediate strip and superposing thereon at a predetermined lineal speed a backing strip having its lower surface coated with pressure-sensitive adhesive, feeding a strip of release paper at such predetermined lineal speed and superposing the backing, ller and intermediate strips thereon, and severing the latter strips transversely for a distance less than the width of the release paper on lines spaced from each other a predetermined distance longitudinally of the strips. This provides a composite strip which is readily marketable in flat, folded or rolled form from which tabs may easily be removedfrom the release paper and accurately applied to a selected sheet as strong, smooth and flexible tabs of minimum thickness. One of the most important steps in this method is that of maintaining the filler strips parallel and in properly spaced relationship, since the resulting hinge portion thus formedv must be very accurately located in order toprevent bulging and misalignment of opposite edges when the tab is mounted in its position of use. This method of making the novel composite strip has the further advantage of enabling desired printing to'be accomplished on selected; portions of the strip, such as on either or both sidesV of the backing, filler or' release paper strips, and in any desired form, including the scale 29, directions on visually exposed portions of the obverse side of the mounting strip, the guide lines 41-43, or the indices '78. The-method of making the composite strip of this invention also includes punching of such apertures as those designated by reference numeral 82 before the punched portion of the strip is presented to the mounting strip, which simplifies removal of those portions punched out to form the apertures.

In FIGURES ll', l2 and 13 one form of novel apparatus for carrying out the method of this invention is disclosed which may be used to make the different forms of composite strips contemplated. This apparatus is' mounted upon and supported by a frame of any suitable construction which is designated generally by reference numeral 83. Mounted' in well known manner on a lower shelf portion of the frame l83 is a source of operating power in the form of an electric motor 84 which drives a ily wheel 85 through the agency of a belt 86. The fly wheel 85 is secured to a drive shaft rotatably supported in' any well known manner by the machine frame 83 and having a sprocket Wheel 87 attached thereto. rFhis wheel S7 drives a chain 88 which drives one portion of a double sprocket wheel 89 secured to a main drive shaft l91 suitably journalled in upstanding portions ofthe frame 83. l

The main drive shaft 91 also has a feed roller 92 mounted thereon for rotation therewith which comprises part of the drive means for moving the various strips longitudinally at a predetermined speed of travel. C- op'erating with this feed roller 92 is a pressure roller 93 mounted on a horizontal shaft above the roller 92 in any suitable manner. v

Mounted freely on a transverse shaft 94 is a roll of the polyester lm strip 22 which is drawn over a guide pulley or flanged roller 95 by the driving action of the rolls 92, 93. As shown in FIGURE l1, the guide lines 41-43 of the strip construction illustrated in FIGURES l-S may be inscribed upon a surface of the backing strip 22 by means of a plurality of inking members 96, preferably in the form of ball point pens, which are mounted in a suitable bracket and spring-urged into inscribing engagement with the strip 22 as it passes over the guide pulley 95. It will be understood that this pulley 95 is freely rotatably mounted in any suitable manner.

A roll of the cellulose, acetate base or other desired material forming the strip 23 is freely rotatably mounted adjacent the upper portion of the frame 83 by a shaft 97 carried in any suitable manner by theV latter. The strip 23 is withdrawn from this roll under a guide pulley 98 similar to and mounted in the same manner as the guide pulley `95. From the guide pulley or flanged roller 98 the strip 23 passes over a cylindrical platen 99 which is also freely rotatably mounted in any suitable manner on the frame 82. A knife lblade 101 extending longitudinally of the strip `23 is mounted by means of an adjustable bracket 102 above the platen 99 so as to sever the strip 23 longitudinally, as the same is drawn over the platen, into the previously described ller strips 24 and 25. These strips 24, 25 are then carried under a guide and spacing means in the form of a thin wheel 103 which is freely rotatably mounted on the frame 83 in any suitable manner, the strips 24,` 2'5 being moved thereunder at the same predetermined lineal speed as the backing strip 22 by the feed and pressure rolls 92, 93. As best illustrated in FIGURE 13, it will be seen that the thin wheel 103 tapers inwardly from a centrally located peripheral edge to its base thickness which is equal to the spacing 26 desired to be maintained between the strips 24 and 25. It is preferred that this wheel 103 be formed integrally with, or as a part of, a shaft 104 comprising a part of the guide and spacing means. The wheel 103 then should extend radially beyond the shaft 104 substantially only for the thickness of the strip 23. With this arrangement, the wheel 103 will insure proper separation of the strips 24, 25 without interfering'with any other strip or strips that likewise may be carried under the freely rotatable shaft 104 for integration with the strips 22, 24 and 25 by the rollers 92, 93.

In this connection, one or more rolls of strips for the intermediate strips previously described are adapted to be freely rotatably mounted on a shaft 105 carried `by the frame 83. In FIGURE 11, the arrangement of the various rolls of strips illustrated is that employed in making the composite strip of FIGURES l-3. Therefore, the rolls so mounted on the shaft 105 comprise two rolls of the adhesive-coated, laterally marginal, interme'diate strips 27 spaced from each other (as shown in FIGURE 3) laterally by any suitable guide collars mounted on the shaft 105. These strips 27 are drawn over a suitable guide roll 106, which is freely rotatably mounted on the frame 83, by the feed and pressure rolls 92, 93 for incorporation into the composite strip. A roll of release paper comprising the mounting strip 28 is freely rotatably mounted on a shaft 107 carried in any suitable manner by the lower portion of the frame 83. This strip 28 is carried upwardly over a pressure roller 108 and under an idler roller 109, both of which are mounted for free rotation on the frame 83 in any suitable manner. From there the strip 28 passes over a flanged roller 111 rotatably mounted on a shaft 112 carried 'by the frame 83 which, as will be explained hereafter, may be positionally interchanged with the pressure roller 108. From the anged guide roller 111, the strip 28 passes under idler rolls 113 and 114 and under and around a cylindrical cutter platen 115, all of which are freely rotatably mounted in suitable manner on the frame 83. Cooperating with this platen 115 are one or more serrated perforating cutter wheels 116 which are freely rotatably mounted on a transverse shaft 117 and spaced thereon by suitable spacing collars to perforate the strip 28 longitudinally on the lines 3238, or 55 (FIGURE 6) or 71 (FIGURE 8). A similar but solid cutter wheel likewise may -be mounted on this shaft 117 for severing the mounting strip 68 along the longitudinal line 69 when making the modification illustrated in FIG. 8. As in the case of the other component strips, the strip 28 is drawn along its guided path of travel from its roll by the driving means comprising the feed roller 92 and the pressure roller 93. These latter rolls also function to adhesively secure the several component strips together to form the same into a composite strip.

As previously explained, the invention contemplates transversely severing such composite strip, preferably for a distance less than the full width of the mounting strip, on transverse lines that are spaced from each other longitudinally of the strip at predetermined intervals. One form of apparatus for accomplishing such transverse cutting is that illustrated in FIGURES l1 and 12, which comprises a cylindrical platen 118 and a slitter rotatably cooperating therewith and indicated generally by reference numeral 119. As seen in FIGURE 11, the cylindrical platen 118 is mounted upon, and secured in any suitable manner to, a transverse shaft 121 journalled in the machine frame 83. Also mounted upon, and secured against rotation relative to, the shaft 121 is a double sprocket wheel 122, one portion of which engages and is driven by a chain 123 meshing with one portion of the double sprocket wheel 89.

The slitter 119 similarly lis secured against rotation relative to, and mounted upon, a transverse shaft 124 joumalled in the machine frame above the shaft 121. It is preferred that any well known manner of so rotatably mounting the shaft 124 be employed which may facilitate fine vertical adjustments thereof relative to the platen 118. Suitable gearing is interposed between the shafts 121 and 124, so that rotation of the former and the platen 118 from the main drive shaft 91 through the agency of the chain 123 will be imparted to the slitter 119. As best seen in FIGURE 12, this slitter 119 comprises a cylindrical body having a plurality of transversely extending and radially disposed guide slots 125 defined by parallel wall portions 126 and spaced from each other circumferentialy of the cylindrical roller. Each or any selected one or more of these slots 125 is adapted to slidably receive a knife blade 127 which may be retained in operative position therein in any suitable manner, as by means of set screws 128 extending through suitable tapped apertures in one of the associated side walls 126.

Suitable supplementary feed mechanism and discharge conveying means are provided which, as shown in FIG- URE 11, may comprise a belt conveyor 129 and a pressure roller 130 cooperating therewith. A drive roller 131 for mounting the receiving end of the belt conveyor 129 is rotatably mounted in any suitable manner and has a double sprocket wheel 132 rigidly secured thereto which is driven by a chain 133 engaging one portion of the previously described double sprocket wheel 122. At its discharge end, the belt conveyor 129 is supported by an idler roller 134 rotatably mounted in any suitable manner, and the lower run of the belt is drivingly engaged by a take-up roller 135 which is driven from the double sprocket wheel 132 through the agency of a chain 136. Arms 137 at each side of the machine pivotally support the pressure roller 130 so that the weight of the latter insures driving contact of the composite and transversely slit strip with the belt conveyor 129.

It thus will be seen that the composite strip may have only certain component strips thereof transversely slit with such an arrangement, as on the lines 81 of the modiiication of FIG. 10, or it may be transversely cut completely through, but for a distance less than the full width of the mounting strip, as illustrated at 31 in FIGURE 1 and 72 in FIGURE 8. The lateral extent of the resulting slits will be determined by the effective length of the knife blade or blades 127. At the same time, the knife blade may be serrated radially of the slitter 119 adjacent its ends to accomplish the perforations in the composite strip illustrated at the ends of the lines of severance 31 in FIGURE 1. The guide slots 125 are spaced circumferentially to effect transverse slitting at minimum increments (as illustrated in FIGURE 8) when a knife blade 127 is mounted in each of them. In the embodiment herein shown, the circumference of the slitter 119 is substantially 12 inches, so that two diametrically opposed blades 127 are employed, as illustrated in FIGURE 12, for effecting transverse slitting of the composite strip on lines 31 (FIGURE 1) which are spaced 6 inches from each other. It will be readily understood that any desired intermediate spacing of the transversely extending slits may be effected by proper selection and positioning of knives 127 in the appropriate slots 125 of the slitter 119.

To effect any desired printing on the composite strip, in addition to the inscribing of the guide lines by the pens 96, a printing wheel or type carrying roller 138 may be employed in conjunction with the pressure roller 108 previously described. To this end, the wheel 138 is shown as removably secured to a transverse shaft 139 which is provided with a driving sprocket wheel 141 that is rotated by a chain 142 driven by a sprocket wheel 143 secured to the shaft 124. A splined shaft 144 similar to the shaft 139 is rotatably mounted inthe machine frame and carries a sprocket wheel 145 which also is engaged and driven by the chain 142. The illustration in FIGURE 11 shows these parts mounted in such manner as to imprint desired indicia on selected portions of the upper or obverse surface of the mounting strip 28 which will be visually exposed after completion of the composite strip. If it is desired to imprint indicia on the lower or reverse side of the mounting strip, such as the scale 29 of FIGURE 1` it is only necessary to rearrange the printing mechanism just described as follows. The printing wheel 138 is slidably removed from its shaft 139 and placed on the splined end portion of the auxiliary shaft 144, and the pressure roller 108 and the anged guide roller 1'11 are then interchanged positonally. The strip 28 then is threaded around the repositioned guide roller 111 under the idler roller 109 (as shown in FIGURE 1l) and between the repositioned pressure roller 108 .and printing wheel 138, the center line distance between the shafts 112 and 144 being the same as that between the shaft on which the pressure roller 108 is shown mounted n FIGURE 11 and the shaft 139. The under or reverse side -of the strip 28 then will be in contact with the printing wheel 138.

The apparatus illustrated in FIGURE 14 comprises a modified form of mechanism intended to be substituted in the machine of FIGURE 1l for the slitter 119 and its immediately associated parts. To this end, the same is illustrated as being employed to make the composite strip shown in FIGURE 10. The backing strip 74 is brought between the fed roller 92 and pressure roller 93 in the same manner as the backing strip 22 shown in FIGURE 1l. The narrow colored strip 75 land the ller strips 76 are drawn between the rollers 92, 93 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 14. It will be appreciated that this may require slight repositioning or modification of the arrangement of the slitting mechanism 99-102 of FIGURE 11. The mounting strip 79 in the device of FIGURE 14 is not presented to the rollers 92, 93. Instead, a similar pair of feed and pressure rollers 146 and 147 are mounted in any suitable way in spaced relationship to the rolls 92, 93 and driven in similar manner to the latter.

Interposed between these two sets of rollers is a punching means comprising a vertically reciprocable punch 148 normally held in an elevated and inoperative position by a spring 149 against a cam 151 secured to a transverse shaft 152 that is rotatably mounted in any suitable manner in the machine frame. Drivingly secured to this shaft 152 is a pulley wheel 153 adapted to be driven by a belt 154 eitherfrom the pulley wheel 153 adapted to be driven by a belt 154 either from the pulley wheel 85, a modification thereof, or in any other suitable manner. The lower end of the punch 148, when depressed against the action of the spring 149 by the cam 151, cooperates with a die platen 155 to punch an aperture of selected configuration through the several strips 74-76 as the same are drawn over this die platen 155 by the feed and pressure rollers 146, 157. Secured to the under side of the die platen 155 is a suction exhaust pipe 156 which functions in well known manner to insure disposal of the blanks or aperture-defining portions cut from the strips 74-76 by this punching means.

After such aperatures, which are similar to those shown at 82 in FIG. 10, are so punched, the strips 74-76 are adhered to the mounting strip 79 by the feed and pressure rollers 146, 147, and the resulting composite strip is continued through the machine by such feed means as the pressure roller 130 and belt conveyor 129 previously described. Such movement of the composite strip carries it across an anvil 157 suitably mounted on the frame of the machine for vertical adjustment. Also mounted on the machine frame and above this anvil 157 is a transversely disposed slitter knife 158 carried on the bottom end of a solenoid plunger 159' that normally is held in a raised inoperative position by a spring 161. The solenoid 162 when energized causes a -sharp downward movement of determined distance, as limited by the head of the plunger.A

The anvil 157 thus may be adjusted to enable the knife 158 to slit through the strips 74-76 only, if desired, witl1.

out cutting the mounting strip 79. In order to actuate this slitter means in timed relationship to tlne operation of the punching means, a second cam 163 is mounted on the shaft 152 of the punching means which instantaneously closes a normally open switch 164 connected in the supply line 165 to the solenoid 162. This results in instantaneous energization and substantially immediate deenergization of the `solenoid in timed relationship to the operation of the punch 148. i

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it Will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the parts of the article without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the forms hereinbefore described being merely preferred embodiments thereof.

I claim:

1. A flexible composite strip providing separable tabs for attachment in use to the edge portion of a sheet of paper, comprising a transparent backing strip with a coating of pressure-sensitive adhesive on its lower sur-r face, a pair of parallel filler strips adhered to said lower surface of said backing strip and spaced from each other a distance at least as great as the sum of their thicknesses to define a hinge portion extending longitudinally of said backing strip, said backing and iiller strips together forming the body portion of said tabs and having transparent skirts wtih pressure-sensitive adhesive coating for attachment in use to opposed sides of the sheet of paper when said backing member is folded along said hinge portion to present said filler strips in opposed face-toface relationship, and a planar mounting strip of release paper for carrying said backing and filler strips said skirts releasably attached thereto.

2. A iiat and flexible composite strip providing separable index tabs of selected length for attachment in use to edge portions of sheets of paper, comprising a transparent backing strip of a polyester lm with pressuresensitive adhesive coating its lower surface, a pair of parallel iiller strips attached to said lower surface of said backing strip and spaced apart laterally thereof a distance approximately equal to the sum of their thicknesses to define a hinge portion extending longitudinally of said backing strip, said backing and iller strips together forming the body portion of the index tabs and having pressure-sensitive adhesive coated marginal portions defining 12 transparent skirts for attachment in use to opposed sides of a sheet of paper when folded along said hinge portion to present said filler strips in face-to-face relation, and a planar mounting strip of polyethylene-impregnated release paper for carrying said backing and filler strips with said skirts releasably secured thereto.

3. In a composite strip according to claim 1, a colored strip interposed between said backing and filler strips to extend along said hinge portion and visually dene the upper edge of the tabs in use.

4. A composite strip according to claim 1, where-in said mounting strip is perforated longitudinally to facilitate removal of a selected portion thereof and its use as an4 insert for the tab.

S. A composite strip, according to claim 1, wherein the width of at least one of said iiller strips is approximately equal to the height of the tab of a iile folder on which the tab may be mounted as a protector.

6. A composite strip according to claim 1, wherein longitudinally extending parallel guide lines are provided adjacent one of said skirts which may be placed selectively along the edge of the sheet of paper to insure the formation of a pocket between said opposed filler strips of selected predetermined height above the edge of the sheet.

7. A composite strip according to claim 6, wherein said mounting strip is provided with a plurality of longitudinal lines of perforation spaced from each other to provide detachable inserts of different heights corresponding to the heights of said pocket as determined by said guide lines.

8. A composite strip according to claim 2, wherein said adhesive coated marginal portions comprise strips of transparent polyester film coated on both sides with trans.

parent and pressure-sensitive adhesive.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,400,862 12/1921 Burgoyne 129-168 1,424,338 8/ 1922 Brenne 40-23 1,961,079 5/1934 Pettis 40-23 2,596,179 5/1952 Seymour 156--269 2,607,711 8/ 1952 Hendricks 156-278 2,815,595 12/1957 Davis 40-23 2,893,144 7/ 1959 Cunningham 40-23 `IACOB H. STEINBERG, Primary Examiner.

EARL M. BERGERT, ALEXANDER WYMAN,

Exanu'nezfs` R. I. ROCHE, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A FLEXIBLE COMPOSITE STRIP PROVIDING SEPARABLE TABS FOR ATTACHMENT IN USE TO THE EDGE PORTION OF A SHEET OF PAPER, COMPRISING A TRANSPARENT BACKING STRIP WITH A COATING OF PRESSURE-SENSITIVE ADHESIVE ON ITS LOWER SURFACE, A PAIR OF PARALLEL FILLER STRIPS ADHERED TO SAID LOWER SURFACE OF SAID BACKING STRIP AND SPACED FROM EACH OTHER A DISTANCE AT LEAST AS GREAT AS THE SUM OF THEIR THICKNESSES TO DEFINE A HINGE PORTION OF SAID TABS AND HAVING TRANSPARENT BACKING STRIP, SAID BACKING AND FILLER STRIPS TOGETHER FORMING THE BODY PORTION OF SAID TABS AND HAVING TRASPARENT SKIRTS WITH PRESSURE-SENSITIVE ADHESIVE COATING FOR ATTACHMENT IN USE TO OPPOSED SIDES OF THE SHEET OF PAPER WHEN SAID BACKING MEMBER IS FOLDED ALONG SAID HINGE PORTION TO PRESENT SAID FILLER STRIPS IN OPPOSED FACE-TO-FACE RELATIONSHIP, AND A PLANAR MOUNTING STRIP OF RELEASE PAPER FOR CARRYING SAID BACKING AND FILLER STRIPS SAID SKIRTS RELEASABLY ATTACHED THERETO. 